Ambush gives Saints psychological edge

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St Albans' lower order batsman Dave Twigg produced a monumental innings to turn their opening two-day game of the season on its head against East Shirley at Burwood Park on Saturday.

Easts were in control for most of the day after they posted a handy 203-9 with D J Lyons (83) and Tim Papps combining for a 99-run stand for the second wicket before Leighton Burtt (4-34) and Jason Pawson (4-35) reduced Saints to 62-8 late in the second session.

No-one told Twigg it was a lost cause, however, as he launched an amazing counter attacking 82 off 65 balls, an innings that included five sixes, to leave the East Shirley bowlers shell-shocked.

Twigg added 69 for the ninth wicket with Aaron Johnstone (15) and 48 for the final wicket with William Mills (14). Mills picked up the wicket of Craig Stevens in the final over of the day to give Saints the psychological edge heading into day two, despite having a deficit of 33.

Marist-Harewood turned around their poor form from the one-day competition with a strong performance on the first day of their match with Burnside West-University at Burnside Park.

After being reduced to 89-5, Ben McCord (51no) and Peter Younghusband (43) came together for an important 79-run stand for the sixth wicket before a declaration was made soon after with Marist-Harewood on 172-7.

Hamish Robertson was the chief destroyer for BWU with 4-54 off his 19 overs.

BWU's reply never got going as Daniel Thomas (4-24) ripped through their order, with only Angus Harman (30) and Mitchell Croft (24) posting reasonable starts as they were bundled out for 110, a deficit of 62 heading into day two.

Sydenham's woes continued as Old Boys Collegians controlled the first day of their match at Elmwood Park after they bundled Sydenham out for 85. Matt McEwan got 4-20, with Grant Fortune (24) providing a bit of respectability to Sydenham's total.

OBC's reply of 176 was set up by a lot of starts, with McEwan (30), Adam Hastilow (30), Ravi Singh (26), Logan van Beek (22) and Theo van Woerkom (19no) all contributing, before van Woerkom (2-16) left Sydenham needing a miracle to avoid an outright defeat at 74-4 at stumps, still 17 runs behind.

The highest scoring game was between Lancaster Park Woolston and Riccarton at Riccarton Domain, with both sides' batsmen producing strong performances.

LPW's total of 290-6 was set up by Michael Davidson (87) and Keryn Ambler (78) who combined for a 155-run stand for the second wicket before Brent Findlay (70no) increased the scoring tempo before a declaration was made at the 60-over mark.

Riccarton's top order weren't as prolific but they have given their side a chance heading into next week at 176-5, with Ben Rapson (51), Paul Miller (37) and Arnie Yugaraja (36) all providing strong starts.